Relations between the Philippines and the United States (Filipino/Tagalog: Ugnayang Pilipinas-Estados Unidos) are bilateral relations between the Philippines and the United States. Relations between the United States and the Philippines have been historically strong and have been described as special relationships. [1] The current Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, however, supports a foreign policy that is less dependent on the United States and prefers a closer policy with China and Russia[2] although the Philippines and the United States signed a 1951 mutual defence agreement and are actively working to implement a strengthened defence cooperation agreement concluded in 2014. The Philippines is one of the oldest Asian partners of the United States and a non-NATO strategic ally. The United States has always been ranked as one of the most popular Philippine nations in the world, with 90% of Filipinos seeing the United States and 91% seeing Americans positive in 2002,[4][4] 90% of Filipinos see the United States. 2011[5] 85% of Filipinos who see the United States and Americans as positive, 2013,[6] and 92% of Filipinos who see the United States as positive in 2015[7] and 94% trust former U.S. President Barack Obama[8] and the Philippines the pro-American country of the world. [9] · To meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, the Philippines and the United States have signed the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The agreement supports AFP`s modernization efforts and promotes interoperability between the Philippines and the United States and the armed forces. It will also contribute to the maintenance and development of maritime security of PHTs, maritime awareness and humanitarian and disaster relief. Other ASEAN free trade agreements have concluded a preferential agreement with China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Visit www.dti.gov.ph/15-main-content/dummy-article/682-free-trade-agreements and tariffcommission.gov.ph/finder/ for a list of Philippine trade agreements and tariff plans and related commitments.
More information on trade is also available on the Philippine National Trade Repository website pntr.gov.ph/. U.S. trade in goods and services with the Philippines was estimated at $30.6 billion in 2019. Exports were $12.1 billion; Imports amounted to $18.5 billion. The trade deficit in goods and services with the Philippines was $6.4 billion in 2019.